THE long-running saga over the ownership of a disused Malvern Wells public toilet and working bus shelter took another turn on Tuesday when district councillors gave the building an unexpected reprieve.

Officers had recommended members of Malvern Hills District Council's executive committee rubber stamp the potential redevelopment of the Wells Road building, after the local parish council turned down an offer to take responsibility for it.

But the committee deferred a decision and a possible £25,000 windfall from any future sale, so further consultation with Malvern Wells Parish Council could take place.

Coun Graham Myatt said he was curious as to how such a sale fitted in with MHDC's public transport and environmental policies and why Malvern Wells Parish Council had refused to take it on.

Ward and parish councillor John Tretheway explained that the toilets had been disused for some time but the parish council had wanted to take the bus shelter on.

"The feeling was to give up a bus shelter was a derogation of public service," he said.

"We felt very strongly and debated this over many meetings but, in the end, the parish council felt it had no option but to turn down the agreement made. It was done with a heavy heart I can tell you."

The transfer of the building to Malvern Wells Parish Council was originally agreed in 1996 and repairs were carried out. The parish council had agreed to contribute £700 when the transaction was completed but recently said it no longer wanted to proceed with the transfer.